Abandoned cars at Vale Castle not our fault, say constables

Abandoned vehicles in the car park opposite Vale Castle have annoyed many parishioners, and junior constable Bill Cohu said that E&I was aware of the problem, yet nothing had changed.

‘People see it and blame the douzaine, assuming we are responsible, and this has happened more than once,’ he said.

‘[Parking wardens] are so quick to give out tickets on North Beach or in other areas, but they never seem to come round this far and monitor it.’

The latest incident is a white truck with three parking tickets containing what appears to be a pile of items for disposal in the back.

Mr Cohu said that vehicle had been there on and off for up to a year, but authorities will not remove it.

‘They made the excuse that the cannot trace the owner and therefore cannot move it,’ he said.

‘We just want them to take it away, we know it’ll cost money but the way that it is currently is a fire hazard and a health hazard.

‘If they gave the constables permission to issue parking tickets in the parish then we could keep it under control.’

The car park was originally unregulated, however was turned into a 23-hour parking zone back in January to monitor parking times.

Mr Cohu added that the parish had initially seen an improvement when the regulation came in. But the problem has since resumed.

Now that the schools have broken up and the island reaches the height of summer, parking spaces in coastal car parks are in higher demand.

Senior constable Richard Leale said that the douzaine has recognised the occasional problem with vehicles at the car park and worked with the authorities to try to resolve it.

‘Sometimes it appears that the action we think is appropriate isn’t taken for whatever reason and we know parishioners and other users get angry when this happens,’ Mr Leale said.

‘I will be contacting Environment to see whether we can get a better system in place to ensure everyone plays by the rules, which have been put there to benefit everyone.’

Traffic and Highway Services said that the procedure for abandoned vehicles is for the landowner to write to Driver and Vehicle Licensing, requesting removal.

‘The process of dealing with abandoned vehicles is effective in so much as there are procedures in place that can lead to the removal of a vehicle that has been abandoned,’ it said.

‘However, it is understandable that a landowner may feel frustrated that effort and cost will be incurred for something that they have no responsibility for.’

Additionally, vehicles abandoned in public parking areas can be reported to the police for them to consider enforcement action, which may result in the issue of parking tickets.

This has happened in the case of Vale Castle coastal car park, or it could result in notices being placed on the vehicle.

Mr Cohu said that both police and Traffic & Highways were aware of the situation.